The wonder of it all (see full article by Michelle Durand in Daily Journal)

It's a wonderful life at least for seven sites unveiled over the weekend as the new Seven Wonders of the World. After tallying up approximately 100 million global votes, the new roster includes the Great Wall of China, Rome's Colosseum, the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, the Christ Redeemer statue in Brazil, the ancient city of Petra in Jordan and the Chichen Itza ruins in Mexico. The Great Pyramid of Giza also got a spot by virtue of still existing. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and the Lighthouse of Alexandria are all just entries in history books. The question now is if the publicity of the contemporary list promotes tourism and preservation. At the very least, the short list has to raise awareness. Chances are, though, very few people will have the opportunity to see each wonder with their own two eyes. And, really, why should they when there are just as many wondrous matters in our own backyard?

I propose a new contest to name the Seven Wonders of San Mateo County. I am open to all nominations but lets toss out a few to kick off the brainstorming.

1. Tom the Tree in Burlingame. Nowhere in San Mateo County history has a eucalyptus tree actually any kind of flora caused such fury. The origin of Tom's name and actual planting date are buried somewhere in the annals of the past but the Great Tom War rages on to this day…

– Written by Fiona